5 Safety Tips That Could Help You Avoid a Motorcycle Accident

The most recent statistics about
motorcycle accidents in North Carolina show that more than eight out of 10 motorcycle wrecks
result in injuries. There are far fewer motorcycle accident fatalities,
but they still occur at a rate of about two dozen a month during the summer.

The
N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles says there were 3,893 motorcycle accidents in North Carolina in 2013,
the latest DMV statistics available. Of these, 81 percent resulted in
an injury and 154 crashes caused someone’s death. Many accidents
are caused frankly by other motorists who fail to stay alert for motorcyclists.
But it’s still the bikers who typically pay the price for another
motorist’s mistake, especially in a collision with a car or truck.

It doesn’t have to happen to you. Though any rider can get into an
accident, especially if a car or truck driver is negligent, you can decrease
the odds of an accident and being seriously injured by taking certain
safety precautions whenever you are riding a motorcycle.

Avoid a Motorcycle Accident

Here are five safety tips that could save your life:

Be ready to be safe. Make sure you and your bike are ready for the road. Check your bike for
potential problems or maintenance issues like stuck throttle, wheel wobble,
loose brakes, proper motor oil (which affects engine performance), every
time before you ride. Make sure you know the motorcycle you are riding
and that your capabilities match your bike’s. If you haven’t
taken a rider course, consider one for your level of riding. It could
only help, and
classes conducted at local community colleges are a good way to meet other motorcyclists who live near you.

Stick out. Too many drivers who have just hit and injured a motorcyclist claim they
never saw the biker or even that the motorcycle “came out of nowhere.”
When you ride, stay far enough back from cars and trucks that you are
not in their blind spots. Catch motorists’ eyes by using hand signals
(along with the bike’s signals) well ahead of turning and slowing
to stop. Wear bright colors or, at least, avoid black and other dark colors,
especially at night or at dawn or dusk.

Drive defensively. Keep a wary eye on traffic and road conditions ahead of you, and know
what’s going on around you on the road at all times. Watch for turning
vehicles. Keep in mind where you would go to avoid a vehicle that crossed
into your path in violation of your right-of-way. Avoid frequent lane
changes or splitting lanes and riding between vehicles.

Be on top of your game. Don’t get on a motorcycle if you’ve been consuming alcohol,
taken a mood-altering drug, or if you are fatigued. Just don’t do
it. Alcohol affects your reflexes and slows your reaction time and compromises
your judgment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
says motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2013 had higher percentages
of alcohol impairment than any other type of motor vehicle driver (27
percent for motorcycle riders, 23 percent for passenger car drivers, 21
percent for light-truck drivers, and two percent for commercial truck
drivers). Fatigue or drowsiness causes the same type of impairment as
alcohol or other sedative drugs.

Wear a helmet. Wearing a DOT-approved helmet is the most effective step you can take
to avoid a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or death from a head injury in
a motorcycle accident. You should also wear other protective gear, including
a face shield attached to your helmet, boots that cover your ankles, and gloves.
North Carolina law requires all riders to wear a FMVSS 218 compliant motorcycle safety helmet
(look for the DOT sticker).

Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Personal injury attorney Jason Taylor is a life-long motorcycle enthusiast as well as a tough litigator when
it comes to protecting the rights of motorcycle riders hurt in accidents
caused by others’ negligence in North Carolina. At the Law Offices
of Jason E. Taylor, we want motorcyclists to protect themselves on the
road, and we want to be there for them if they need help dealing with
insurance companies that unfairly blame the guy or gal who was riding
a motorcycle in an accident.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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